R. City is the culmination of a lifelong dream shared between two brothers. Theron Thomas and Timo Makaveli grew up in the Virgin Islands, dreaming about their future in the music industry. The duo moved to America and began their journey, a story replete with moments of success and struggle. More about the history of the group can be read in this artist spotlight, as well as a review of its recent single off the new album, "This Is Not A Drill...This Is Really Happening"
R. City’s discography, alongside its collaboration with renowned artists like Rihanna, Akon, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Adam Levine and many others, has led audiences to crave new music from the intoxicating duo. Its masterful blend of hip-hop, pop and Caribbean music creates a genre that pays homage to the brothers' upbringing and passion for U.K. drill.
“'This Is Not A Drill...This Is Really Happening' is the title for our drill tape because we’ve been promising our fans music for years and we wanted them to know, we ain't b**********g this time. We coming,” the duo said. The recently released album utilizes heavy drum machines, lush tropical ambiance and unbelievable flow to give R. City’s audience exactly what they have been waiting for.
The album begins with a jarring intro that aligns with the title of the album. "This Is Not A Drill...This Is Really Happening! (Intro)" is emblematic of a declaration of war, stressing the importance of the album's release after so much anticipation. The alarming announcement blends seamlessly into the next track.
"Santo" is an intense combination of rap and steel drums, a testament to the duo's island upbringing. The song introduces the incredible rhyme scheme and flow that will remain throughout the rest of the album. The song is an immediate confidence boost, revolving around a passionate chorus and accompanying beat. The harsh shouting in the background of the track is a callback to the album's introduction and contributes to the cohesion of the songs.
Songs that follow like "TunTun" and "Rock City Party Mix, Pt. 1" are different variations of the first song's energy. Instead of stealing drums, the brothers introduce Latin guitar and soaring violins to accompany their unflappable rhythm. The songs all flow together with no pauses, a technique designed to fully immerse listeners in the album's aesthetic. The latter of the two songs highlights the accents of the rappers, which they use to their advantage in creating original and unique rhymes.
Sprinkled throughout the album are three short interludes. They help distinguish the songs from each other while still maintaining the movement of the album and offer moments of laughter among the heavier listens. The interludes offer a slice of life from the recording studio and help create an image to associate with the music and the group.
Other songs on the album demonstrate a softer side of the lyricists. "Das My Pum" and "Wavezz" offer more background vocals that contribute to the mind-bending brilliance of the lyrics. The background ambiance adds variety to the songs, introducing more musical elements into the urgent energy of the collection.
One of the most important attributes of R. City is the relationship between the two brothers. Songs like "Kiebo" offer excellent demonstrations of the duo's chemistry. The two voices work together in a tantalizing dance, working off of the other's energy and building each other up through their words and passion. The two voices emanate similar energy, but both bring different elements to the table in a well-rounded display of talent.
The album's standout songs are "WAPA," the single released Oct. 13 in preparation for the album, and "Devil Hawks." "Devil Hawks" contains some of the best lyrics and flow of the album, with the beat nicely aligning with the bars of words. The song encapsulates the message of the album and succinctly packages the energy of the group as a whole.
"This Is Not A Drill...This Is Really Happening" delivers excitement and drive from a duo that has been acclaimed for its talents and undeniable presence. If its most recent album is any indicator, R. City has a very exciting career ahead of it in the music industry.
